Bendigo women’s cricket trailblazer, Barbara Rae, has been immortalised in bronze, with a new sculpture in her honour revealed as part of the State Government’s Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
Representatives from Greater Bendigo Council and the Victorian Government joined sculptor, Lis Johnson and members of Barbara Rae’s family to unveil the new artwork at its permanent home at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday.
“This is the first sculpture to honour a female cricketer in Victoria and only the second in Australia. Barbara Rae paved the way for women’s cricket in Australia, and it happened right here in Greater Bendigo,” said Greater Bendigo Council Mayor, Thomas Prince.
Barbara’s great-granddaughter, Diane Robertson, said it had been a thrill for her family to see their great grandmother’s contribution immortalised in bronze.
“Barbara was a trailblazer who set a wonderful example for so many women and girls in sport,” she said.
The sculpture’s location is also significant, with the oval home to the first women’s cricket match held in Australia in 1874 between the ‘Blues’ and ‘Reds’ at the Easter Fair.
At just 19 years of age, she captained the winning team and was the top scorer on the ‘Blues team’ – breaking ground in the sport at a time when women required permission to play what was considered a ‘male only’ game.
“The sculpture of Barbara Rae is a powerful tribute to a much-loved Bendigo local who has left an enduring legacy in Australian cricket history and advancing the equality of women in sport,” said Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan.
The sculpture of Barbara Rae is the first of six projects being delivered as part of the Government’s program to address the lack of women being represented in statues, sculptures and other art in Victoria’s public spaces.
“The achievements of Victorian women should be celebrated and acknowledged – Barbara Rae was a trailblazer in her field, and this sculpture is a lasting memorial to her legacy,” said Minister for Women, Mary-Anne Thomas.
Supported by the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, the program honours the legacies of those who have forged a path for all Victorian women – reflecting diversity, and highlighting leadership, excellence and service to the community across a range of fields.
Workers’ rights advocates Agnes Chambers, Agnes Doig and the Wonthaggi Miners Women’s Auxiliary will also be recognised in Wonthaggi, as well as the nine women who were the driving force behind the Montsalvat Artists Community will be celebrated with an artwork in Eltham.
